5 held for extortion

Two girls, including a minor, are among five people arrested for allegedly extorting money from a Rohtak businessman after abducting him, police said here today. The kingpin Sandeep Dalal alias Rinku (30) along with his four associates were arrested on the complaint of Maha Singh, a property dealer, who was abducted and was forced to pay Rs 10 lakh by the gang, which took his pictures in compromising position with one of the women members. The other gang members are Ajay Dangi (28) - an M Com and currently working as an executive with an investment firm, Ramesh Tiwari (50), Suman Jha alias Kajal (24) and the minor girl, whose age was not revealed by police. Singh was released after he paid Rs 10 lakh to his abductors who threatened to get his pictures published if he fails to pay them the amount, DCP (Outer district) B S Jaiswal said. According to police, Singh was repeatedly contacted many times by a woman, who claimed to be secretary of one Ramesh Tiwari, and showed interest in a plot in Rohtak and offered higher rates than the prevailing market rate. On Saturday last, Singh was contacted by one Sandeep, who asked him to come to Rohini but refused to meet him showing his preoccupation and asked him to meet his secretary, who fixed the meeting for next day saying that her boss was out, police said. On Sunday, Singh was asked to meet Sandeep near Rithala metro station. While he was on his way to the venue, Singh was intercepted by two persons who claimed to be policemen, they said. The duo forced him to inhale some sedative after which Singh lost his consciousness. When he regained consciousness he found himself in a room with the two men and an elderly person, who claimed to be a mediaperson. Also two women were present there. "They forced him to be photographed in compromising position with one of the women and blackmailed him to pay Rs 10 lakh," Jaiswal. Singh paid the gang Rs 10 lakh yesterday but he was again asked to pay Rs two lakh, following which he approached police. Police laid a trap and three of the accused were arrested yesterday when they came to collect the amount at Ghevra area. Acting on information of the three accused, the two women were arrested from Nangloi. Police recovered two cars and Rs 7.86 lakh, which was part of the extorted money, from their possession.